Ore classifier and slimer



(Nb Model.)

W. E. WILD.

ORE GLASSIPIER AND SLIMER. l No. 596,021. Patented Deo.21,1897.

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UNITED STATES 1 PATENT EEIOE.

ORE CLASSIFIER AND SLIIVIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,021, dated December21, 1897.

n Application led January 15,1897. Serial No. 619,298. (No model.)

-to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ore classiiiers and slimers; andit consists of the features, arrangements,and combinations hereinafterdescribed and claimed, all of which will be fully understood byreference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated anembodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section takenthrough the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the liney y, Fig. 1, looking downward. Fig. 3 is a similar section taken on theline '.r, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 .illustrates the valve mechanism forcontrolling the discharge from the vertical conduits, the parts beingshown on a slimes that settle thereon may be easily drawnV off from aport or ports 8, formed where the parts 5 and 5c of the bottom arejoined together. In the center of the tank 5 is located a hollowcylindrical column 9, composed of sections 9a, set one upon another.These sections may be cast-iron and are provided with lianges 9, boltedtogether. As shown in the drawings, the column 9 is composed of sixsections, though a greater or less number of sections may of course beemployed. The bottom 9d of the lowermost section of the colfyingapparatus.

umn is provided with a tubular projection 10, whose lower extremityrests upon a hollow pedestal 12. To the topmost column is attached aboss 13, to which is secured a vertical shaft 14, carrying a fast'bevel-gear 15, meshing with a similar gear 16 on a shaft 17, to whichpower is applied for rotating the column 9. Surrounding the boss 13 andattached to the base thereof is a hopper 18, open to receive thematerial to be treated from a chute 19, leading from a stamp-mill orother pul-4 verizing apparatus.

The wall of the hopper is provided with openings close to the bottom toallow the material to escape to a downwardly-inclined circular plate 20,attached to the top flange of the uppermost section 9a.' This plate 20may be .coated with mercury for purposes of amalgamation when thematerial under treatment carries free gold or other amalgamable metals.To the bottom flange of the same section is attached-a screen 21, havinga vertical ange 21a formed at its circumference. This screen isoppositely inclined to the plate 2O and projects beyond the same,whereby it is adapted to receive the material from the plate. Thismaterial is delivered by the plate to the outer portion of the screenclose to its flange 21, whereby the said material is made totravel overthe entire surface of the screen. The portion of this material too largeto pass through the screen 21 is delivered through suitable openingsformed in the adjacent section of the column to a hopper 22, located inthe adjacent lower section of the column. A vertical pipe or conduit 23leads from the mouth of the hopper 22 and discharges into one of thecompartments 24C of a receptacle 24, from which it passesby Way of adischargepipe 25 into a stationary vat 26, divided by circularpartitions 27 into a ynumber of com.- partments 28, from which it may bedrawn off for further treatment. The receptacle 24 is made fast to thedepending part 10 of the column 9 and therefore rotates with the column.It is divided by radial partitions 24a into a number ,of compartments 24equal to the number of the grades of material into which the ore is tobe separated by the classi- Each section of the hollow vertical column9, except the lowermost, is provided with a IOO plate 20 and a screen2l. The uppermost screen is of coarsest mesh, and the mesh of eachsucceeding screen toward the bottom is finer, the bottom screen beingthe finest of all. Hence the material that passes through the uppermostscreen falls to the plate 2O next below and thence to the finer screen.The material rejected by this last-named screen passes to another hopper22 and thence by way of a pipe 23 to another compartment 24 of thereceptacle 24, from which it is taken b y another pipe 25 and dischargedinto another compartment 2S of the vat 2G, and so on, the materialrejected by each screen from the top toward the bottom of the columnbeing iiner and discharged by way of a hopper 22 and a pipe 23intoaseparate compartment 2stc of the receptacle 24, there being as manygrades ot material as there are'screens 2l. The apparatus shown in thedrawings (see Fig. l) is provided with iive screens 2l. Hence such amachine would classify, size, or divide the ore into iive different ordistinct grades or sizes, each grade being kept entirely separate whilepassing through the niachine and nally discharged into a separatereceptacle or compartment of its own.

The discharge extremity of each pipe 23 is controlled by a conical valve29, attached to an arm 3l and surroundingand sliding upon a verticalwater-pipe 30, projecting into the pipe 23. To each arm 3l is attached alug 3l, through whichpasses a screw 32, threaded to engage a threadedaperture in a lug g of the lowermost section tl of the column 9. Thevalve may be raised or lowered by turning the screw 32 and the dischargefrom the pipe 23 regulated. It is desirable that the lower extremity ofthe pipe 23 shall be open only wide enough to discharge the ore whichenters the same; otherwise the water would How too rapidly through thesepipes.

The lower part of the hollow pedestal l2 communicates with thewater-tank 33,/ which may receive its supply from the overow of the tank5 or from any other suitable source having a proper pressure. The waterrises in the pedestal l2 and passes through outlets 3ft into the pipe30. This upward discharge of water prevents the slimes from passingdownward with the sized or classified ore. It also prevents any tendencyon the part of the material to clog the pipes. The volume ot' waterpassing through the pipe 30 is regulated by valves 35, whose stems 35nare provided with hand-wheels 35".

The slimes, or the material so fine that it is held in suspension by thewater, is allowed to settle in the bottom of the tank 5, where it may bedrawn off through a port or opening, as heretofore explained. The waterwhich enters the tank is allowed to overiiow at the top into aslime-tank 3G, suitably supported. This slime-tank receives a grade ofslimes which will not settle in the tank 5 by reason of the agitation ofthe water incident to the rotation of the column 9 and its connectionsas well as the discharge of the material into the tank 5. In this tank3G there is very little agitation, and the slimes consequentlyhave abetter chance to settle than in the tank 5. The material which settlesin the tank 3G is drawn off at the bottom thereof through a port 37 andcarried to any suitable recepta cle, where it may be subjected tofurther treatment by the cyanid or any other suitable process. The tank3G has also an overflow into a tank 38, which receives a still iinergrade of slimes. The entrance to the tank 38 is Filled with straw orsimilar iiltering material 39 to check the flow or current of water. Theslimes which settle in the tank 3S may be drawn off through a port 4-0and carried to any suitable receptacle. There is also an overflow fromthe tank 3S, which may be connected with another slime-tank, and so on,as many slime-tanks being used as are necessary to thoroughly impoverishthe water of its slimes or metallic values held in suspension. Theoverflow from the outermost slimetank may be carried by means of asuitable conduit to the water-tank and thence into the pipes 23 for thepurpose heretofore stated. Hence there need be no loss of water. Theslimes from the tanks 5, 3G, and 3S or from all the slime-tanks may bedrawn ott and car ried to a common receptacle.

.Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. The combinationof a stationary tank adapted to hold liquid, of a hollow columnrotatably mounted therein, two or more inclined screens of varying meshattached to the column one above another, said screens being downwardlyinclined from their outer edges which are highest, o1 positelyincli1iedplates also attached to the column and adapted to direct the material tothe outer edges of the screens, and suitable means located within thehollow column and communicating with the individual screens forconducting the different grades of material to a suitable receptacle.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of astationary tank having an opening in its bottom, a hollow rotatablecolumn located in said tank, projecting through the opening in thebottom thereof and resting upon a suitable support, the tank beingadapted to hold liquid when the column is in place, two or more conicalscreens attached to the column, one above another, their outer edgesbeing highest, oppositelyinclined plates also attached to the column andadapted to discharge the material to the outer edge of each screen, andconduits located within the hollow column and communicating with theindividual screens at their upper extremities, while their lowerextremities have outlets at the bottom of the column.

3. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a stationary tank having an opening in its bottom, ahollow rotatable column located in said tank, projecting IIO A tankbeing adapted to hold liquid when the column 'is in place, a series ofconical screens attached to the column one above another, their outeredges being highest, oppositelyinclined plates also attached to thecolumn and adapted to direct the material to the outer edges of thescreens, conduits located within the hollow column and communicatingrespectively with the individual screens at their upper extremities,while their lower extremi ties have outlets at the bottom of the column,a suitable receptacle attached to the column below the tank and dividedinto compartments to receive the different grades of material from therespective conduits.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of astationary slime-tank having an opening in its bottom, a hollowrotatable column located in said tank, projecting through said openingand resting upon a suitable support underneath, a series of conicalscreens attached to the column one above another,their outer edges beinghighest, plates also attached to the column and oppositely inclined fromthe screens whereby they are adapted to direct the material to the outeredges of the screens, conduits located within the hollow column andcommu nicatin gl re-v spectively with the individual screens at theirupper extremities, while their lower extremities have outlets at thebottom of the column,

a suitable receptacle attached to the column below the tank and havingcompartments to receive the different grades of material from therespective conduits, and a valve connected with the lower extremity ofeach conduit and adapted to control the discharge therefrom.

5. In an apparatus of the class described,

Vthe combination of a stationary tank having an opening in its bottom, ahollow rotatable column located therein and projecting through thebottom opening, the tank being adapted to hold liquid when the column isin place, a suitable supportl or pedestal locatedv ing in mesh asdescribed, oppositely-inclined plates also attached to the column andadapted to discharge the material to the outer edges of the screens,conduits located within the hollow column to which they are made fast,said conduits communicating respectively with the individual screens attheir upper extremities, while their lower extremities are provided withoutlets at the bottom of the column, a suitable receptacle attached tothe column below the tank and having compartments to receive thediierent grades of material from the respective conduits, a conicalvalve adapted to project in to the lower extremity of each conduit, averticallymovable arm supporting said valve, and suitable means forraising and lowering the arms whereby the valves are adjusted and thedischarge from the conduits controlled.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of astationary tank having an opening in its bottom, a hollow rotatablecolumn located in said tank and projecting through said opening, asuitable support located below the tank and upon which the column ismounted, a series of conical screens of varying mesh attached to thecolumn one above another, their outer edges being highest,oppositely-inclined plates also attached to the column and adapted todischarge the material to the outer edges of the screens,con duitslocated within the hollow column and communicating at their upperextremities with the individual screens, while their lower extremitieshave outlets at the bottom of the column, a suitable receptacle attachedto the column below the tank and having compartments to receive thedierent grades of ma,- terial from the respective conduits, suit-ableValve mechanism for controlling the discharge of material from theconduits,and water-pipes connected with a suitable supply source attheir lower extremities, their upper extremities opening into the saidconduits.

7. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination with a stationary slime-tank having an opening in itsbottom, a hollow rotatable column located in the said tank andprojecting through the opening in the bottom thereof, the said tankbeing adapted to hold liquid when the column is in place, the upperextremity of the column being suitably supported, a series of conicalscreens vattached to the column' one above another, said screens beingof varying mesh, their outer edges being highest, oppositely-inclinedplates also attached to the column and adapted to discharge the materialto the outer edges of the screens, conduits located within the hollowcolumn to which they are made fast, the upper extremities of saidconduits communicating with the individual screens, while their lowerextremities have outlets at the bottom of the column, a suitablereceptacle attached to the column below the tank and adapted to receivethe different grades of material lfrom the respective conduits, a valvefor controlling the discharge from the lower extremity of each conduit,a vertically-movable arm supporting said val ve, and means for raisingand lowering the arms comprising a screw passing through a lug in thearm and engaging a threaded aperture formed in a lug on the column.

8. In a classitier,the combination of a hollow rotatable column, aseries of conical screens of varying mesh attached to said column, thevmesh of the screens increasing in ineness from y IIO 9. In a classier,the combination of a station ary tank having an opening in its bottom, ahollow rotatable column located in the tank and projecting through saidopening, a series of conical screens of varying mesh attached to thesaid column, the mesh of the screens increasing in lineness from the topof the column downward, a series of oppositely-inclined plates alsoattached to the column and adapted to discharge the material to thescreens, conduits located in the hollow column and adapted to receivethe discharge from the respective screens, said conduits having anoutlet at the bottom of each column, a receptacle also attached to thecolumn and located below the tank, said receptacle being divided intocompartments to receive the discharge from the respective conduits, astationary vat located below the said receptacle and divided intocircular compartments, and

suitable conduits leading from the respective4 compartments of therotating receptacle and discharging into the corresponding compartmentsof the stationary vat.

l0. In a combined classifier and slimer, the combination of an uprightstationary tank having an inclined bottom provided with a portcontrolled by a suitable valve, a vertical, hollow, rotatable columnlocated in said tank and projecting through an opening in the bottomthereof, a suitable support below the tank upon which the said column ismounted, two or more conical screens attached to the column one aboveanother and of varying mesh, the uppermost being the coarsest,oppositely-inclined plates also attached to the column and adapted todischarge upon the screens, and suitable means for conducting theseveral grades of material separately from the screens through thehollow column to separate compartments of a suitable receptacle.

l1. In an ore-classiiier, the combination of a hollow rotatable column,conical screens attached thereto and surrounding the column,oppositely-inclined plates also attached to the column and adapted tofeed the ore to the outer edge of the screens which are provided withupwardly-projecting iianges, conduits located within the hollow columnand adapted to receive the material from the respective screens, andpipes projecting upward into the lower extremities ol the respectiveconduits, said pipes being connected with a suitable water-supply sourcehaving sufficient pressure to force the water through the said pipesinto the conduits.

12. In a combined ore classifier and slimer, the combination of astationary tank, the rotatable column located therein, conical screensof varying mesh attached to the oolumn and located one above another,the uppermost being of the coarsest mesh, and one or more slime'tanksconnected with the main tank and adapted to receive the overflowtherefrom.

13. In a classifier' for ore or other material, the combination of astationary tank having au opening in its bottom, a hollow rotatable-column located in said tank and projecting through the opening in thebottom thereof, a series of screens of varying mesh attached to saidcolumn, conduits located within the column, their upper extremitiescommunicating with and being adapted to receive the material rejected bythe respective screens, the lower extremities of the conduits havingsuitable outlets located at or below the opening in the bottom of thetank.

la. In a classifier for ore and other material, the combination of astationary tank having an opening in the bottom, a hollow rotatablecolumn located in said tank and projecting through said opening in thebottom thereof, the tank being adapted to hold liquid when the column isin place, a series of screens of varying mesh attached to said column,conduits located within and attached to the column, their upperextremities communicating with and being adapted to receive the materialfrom the screens, the lower extremities of the conduits having suitableoutlets located at or below the opening in the bottom of the tank, andsuitable means for introduc ing water under pressure into the dischargeextremities of the conduits to prevent the slimes from passing downwardwith the ore.

15. In an ore-classifier, the combination of a stationary tank having anopening in its bottom, of a hollow rotatable column located in said tankand projecting through said opening, suitable classifying or gradingmechanism attached to the exterior surface of the column, conduitslocated within the column and adapted to receive the respective gradesfrom said mechanism, the conduits having outlets below the bottomopening in the tank.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM E. WILD.

fitnessesz G. J. ROLLANDET, ALFRED J. OBRIEN.

IOO

